Optimism is rising among the UK’s tradespeople, with almost two thirds of them hoping to see stronger levels of business next year.

The latest Trade Pulse study from Screwfix shows that 61 per cent of the tradespeople it questioned expect the performance of their business to improve over the course of 2015.

The retailer, which questioned the likes of plumbers, electricians, builders and carpenters, added that four in five (80 per cent) of the poll respondents have enough work on their books to keep them busy at present.

This is higher than the proportion of 73 per cent who said the same thing back in 2012.

Looking back over the past 12 months, some 39 per cent of the people questioned said they are now providing a larger number of quotes relating to prospective work.

With workloads on the rise, one in 10 said they are actually finding it tough to juggle all the jobs which are currently on their books.

Close to half (49 per cent) revealed that their levels of business have improved since this time last year.

Screwfix CEO Andrew Livingston said that while business levels are encouraging at present, things could improve further over the coming months.

He said: “The latest findings from our Trade Pulse report reflect what we are hearing from customers in our stores every day; business is good but the future is looking even better.”

Mr Livingston added that the retailer’s findings may prove positive for the wider UK economy.

With tradespeople hoping for strong business growth next year, he suggested that employment levels might go up.

“We have already created an additional 900 jobs this year, allowing us to meet the increasing demands from tradesmen and their growing businesses,” Mr Livingston continued.

Offering another encouraging sign, just 2 per cent of tradespeople have no work of any kind in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, among its other findings, Screwfix said tradespeople largely feel upbeat about the country’s wider economic prospects.

Over the course of 2015, they hope to see further improvements in the UK’s economic situation.

In order to compile its Trade Pulse study, Screwfix canvassed the opinions of more than 500 UK tradespeople.

While welcoming rising workloads, separate research has indicated that some construction firms may have to contend with skills shortages in the near future.

The National Specialist Contractors Council recently said that firms need to invest in apprenticeships so that they can take advantage of emerging opportunities.